June,  2007

Dear Friends:

Looking at above picture and the letter, which came with it, I imagine I have the same silly grin on my face as Hershey! This is one dog which deserved a home badly, and found it. Hershey, the little pit bull girl, had been with us for at least six years, probably longer. And she proved the point that it’s not the pit bulls, which are mean and nasty, but their owners who treat them so terrible that some of them turn into killing machines. Who can blame them? So whenever someone comes knocking on our door, giving us the same lame speech about having to “get rid of” their pit bull, we have to say “no” knowing all along that we just spoke the death sentence over the poor dog. The big problem is that we very seldom can place a pit bull, which means a run is tied up for several years. So we have to ask ourselves: Do we save one dog’s life, or try to save ten which may be placeable? A hard decision to make, many times. No other shelters take them either.

Same old [same ol'] at Charley's Strays. Two new dogs found their way to us, out of a horrible situation. We managed to place one already, the other has a possible home to look forward to, we hope. If not, chances are that she will look towards motherhood pretty soon; she may be pregnant. Our vet told us it was too late for other options. I will keep you posted on that situation. None of our old timers found people of their own, but all seem to be in good shape and happy to enjoy the outdoors, even though the mosquitoes and black flies can make life very miserable for them.

All of our dogs had their blood checked for heartworm, and none were positive. Two do have Lyme Disease and are being treated for it. The ones which were due for their shots also had them administered. Dr. Slack came out to the Shelter one sunny Saturday afternoon and took care of the vaccinations and blood tests of our wild ones. One had to be muzzled, the rest were little lambs. It seems they do a lot better in their own environment instead of dragging them 15 miles across town to the vet’s office. So all that is done, the only bad thing left from that is an $1800 vet bill. Sooo -- more hair pulling, thank God I still have a few left on my head!

Jim spent a couple of weeks at the Shelter. He had to break up the cement floor in the front outside runs, which had suffered badly through the past winters. They had lots of cracks and chips in the concrete. It was a job Jim had been dreading for several years. Since he’s not getting any younger he figured it would have to be now or never. He had to rent a jackhammer for $140, and between Jim, Mike and a friend they got the concrete broken in pieces and carted out back. The following week was supposed to be the concrete-pouring week, but as always, things don’t work out the way they should. When setting the forms, Jim noticed that everything was leaning towards the building, which meant when hosing down the runs, the water would run into the building. So- more jackhammer renting, taking out more concrete, doing more of the backbreaking work. But now everything is set, the steel is laid in place, so next week Jim will go back to pour the concrete.

Cindy Houston will be doing her yearly yard sale again this year for Charley’s Strays in September, with the help of “our” dear supporters, Jackie Lowney and Joan Ryan. Sometime in October Charley’s Strays will host its yearly fundraiser in Woburn Massachusetts at the Baptist Church, like last year. So I am including the first three tickets this month.

We will try to collect as much money as possible for heating oil. I know, summer just started, but last winter was terribly hard for us to come up with enough money to keep the kennel warm. I think if we are ahead this time with fuel money, we can look towards the coming cold season with a lighter heart! So the money you spend for buying these tickets will keep our furry friends warm, and that’s a good cause. I am sure you all agree with me on that.

If you can sell some of those tickets to your friends and neighbors we appreciate it, if you don’t want them, please throw them away – if you want a couple or a couple hundred more, let me know, I will mail them to you. There will be coffee, cake, soft drinks and whatever else some of our supporters and visitors bring along, many prizes, and a good time at our fundraiser. More about the prizes in the following newsletters. First prize is $300.

CAT REPORT – June 2007

Not much news again this month – except for Christopher. The cats have been in good health and seem to be enjoying this not-too-hot spring. I got the upstairs window air conditioner installed, but haven’t needed to turn it on yet. 

Christopher has been back to the vet twice since the last report, because in spite of his thyroid medication he continues to lose weight. By the second visit, his thyroid level was normal, and Dr.Macmillan said to try discontinuing the medication.  She also suggested an antibiotic; so he’s been getting dosed twice a day, and darned if he isn’t eating more enthusiastically! He’s at least the third of my cats for whom Dr. M. has done this kind of intuitive thing; she can’t really pin down the problem, but she suggests something that might help, and it does.

Chris’s sister Emily, who still lives in the area and sees a different vet, was recently diagnosed as diabetic (as well as having a borderline high thyroid level). I don’t know that diabetes runs in families, but I was glad to find that Chris’s blood sugar is normal. Chris and Emily’s half-siblings (my three, Karen’s and Jane’s in Alaska) all seem to be healthy (knock on wood). None of them is fat, but none is as excessively thin as Chris. 

Little Kennebec is doing extremely well right now (knock on wood again).  He feels nice and solid when I pick him up, and he purrs in my arms and plays with my hair; and when he gets a claw caught in my clothing he’s (mostly) learned to patiently retract it, instead of getting furious with me for “holding” him.  Every now and then he goes on a tear, racing from one end of the kitchen to the other, jumping over things, hiding and jumping out on his toys – generally acting like a healthy, happy cat.

I hope I can remember the people who’ve helped especially with the cats this month, in addition to all of you who faithfully support Charley’s Strays. Karen is easy: She brought me some of the Friskies senior canned cat food that I go through altogether too fast, just in time to save me a weekend trip to town. The Charles cat sends food every week; and I’ve been using coupons from Teresa and her family, Roberta Chaves, Doris Lary, fellow rescuers Jessica and Laurie – seems as though somebody else gave me some, too.  My thanks to everyone -- every dollar helps!

Speaking of other rescuers, kitten season has hit hard in Maine, again. If any of you know someone who’d like to provide a loving indoor home for a kitten – or half a dozen kittens – please let me know.

Jon & Barb Anderson,Augusta

Joseph Blake, New Bedford

Josephine Smith, Woburn

Judy & Al Smith, Belmont

Judy Rohweder, Northport

Kathrine Collins, Barre

Linda Merriam, Dresden

Lisa D’Alessandro, Raymond

Lorena & Harry Clark, Beverly

Marcia Smith, Bucksport

Marian Delarue, Woburn

Marlene Kaplan, Melrose

Mary Klayda, Winchester

Michael Kane, Greenwood

Mildred Walker, Presque Isle

Nancy Capone, Wakefield

Sad things happened this month to several of our supporters: Judy and Al Smith lost their friend, Jimmy Rodolfos. We received a donation in memory of Jimmy from the Smiths. Sylvia Fiorino, who visits our fundraisers [you remember her as the tall good looking dark-haired woman J], she lost her mom. Kathryn Benjamin sent us a donation in memory of her. We also received donations from Enid Hayes in memory of Linda Ryan, and from Alice Winston in memory of Teddi D’Agnese. Thank you much!

Iris Martinello is grieving over her beloved dog who went to dog heaven. In comparison to these sad things, Barb Anderson who is dealing with a broken foot at least can hope for a speedy recovery. I am sure she will be as good as new in a few months!

Gabriele, Mary, Karen, Ted, Mike and Jim

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